lOMoARcPSD|261202 28
MOVIE REVIEW
1
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Ray McCarver
School of Behavioral Sciences, Liberty University
Author Note
Ray McCarver
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Ray McCarver
Email: rmccarver1@liberty.edu
lOMoARcPSD|261202 28
MOVIE REVIEW
2
Abstract
This is a movie review of the film The Way of the Peaceful Warrior. It was selected because it
has a strong coaching theme. The movie is about a college gymnast who is obsessively driven to
achieve his goal of winning a gold medal. His dream is cut short when he is severely injured in a
tragic accident. Doctors told him he would never compete again. He encounters a man who
would introduce him to life changing principles call the way of the warrior. The film provides an
opportunity to see life coaching principles being utilized. I connected with the movie both on a
personal and professional level, identifying much of myself in the protagonist's character.
Keywords: Movie review, warrior, coaching
lOMoARcPSD|261202 28
MOVIE REVIEW
3
The Way of the Peaceful Warrior
The Review
Before starting this program, I would have defined coaching by how it related to team sports,
e.g., football, basketball, soccer, etc. There are many movies to choose from with coaching
themes tied to team sports, such as Hoosiers, Coach Carter, and Remember the Titans. However,
according to Webb (2019), life coaching practices are counterintuitive. So, I searched for a
movie that I thought represented a person influencing someone's life in a positive way outside
the typical team sports coaching genre. I decided on the film The Way of the Peaceful Warrior,
directed by Victor Salva, starring Nick Nolte, Scott Mechlowitz, and Amy Smart (Salva, 2006).
In the movie, Dan Millman is an obsessively driven college gymnast whose singular
focus is winning a gold medal in the upcoming Olympics. Attending the University of
California, Dan is an overachiever in everything he does, whether grades, girls, or his passion for
gymnastics. Anything or anyone is expendable in his effort to reach his goal. The only thing he
suffers from is a recurring nightmare that makes for troublesome sleeping.
On one of the nights, he goes on an early morning run and stops at a gas station at 3 am.
Here he meets the attendant/ mechanic, a man who he refers to as Socrates. There is something
about Socrates' calm demeanor that makes an impression on Dan, and he returns the next night.
On the outside, Dan breams with confidence, but on the inside, his mind is troubled. As they
strike up a relationship, Socrates points out the Dan has kept his body in great shape, but he
needs to work on his inner self. He can start by "taking out the trash" inside his head (Salva,
2006).
Dan starts working part-time at the station, learning the way of the warrior from Socrates.
Besides performing menial tasks like cleaning toilets, Dan is put on a strict regimen of
lOMoARcPSD|261202 28
MOVIE REVIEW
4
abstinence to include alcohol and sex. Dan's adherence to this regimen does not last long, and
soon he returns to his old ways. All seems well until strategy strikes, and Dan is severely injured
in a motorcycle accident. Lucky to be alive, the doctors tell him he will never compete as a
gymnast again (Salva, 2006).
Dan refuses to accept this. His whole perception of self, worldview, and dreams are tied
to being a world-class gymnast. Now he is ready to indeed turn himself over to Socrates and his
way of the warrior. His struggles seem impossible, but he perseveres, adhering to the tenets of
Socrates' philosophy. Dan's time with Socrates ends with a final hike in which Dan learns it's not
the destination but the journey that counts. The result is that Dan and his Cal team won their first
National title (Salva, 2006).
Coaching Implications
I believe this movie would be beneficial for everyone, but especially for those who seek
assistance from a life coach. According to Dunbar (2010), clients come to life coaches because
they want to get somewhere different from where they currently see themselves. That
"somewhere different" is known as the goal (p. 42). For Dan, the goal is clearly defined,
winning a gold medal in the Olympics.
After the accident, Dan's dreams appear shattered. However, he turned to one person
who believed in him, Socrates. Without naming it, Socrates had Dan follow the GROW model.
The Goal was clearly defined. Dan's "Reality now" was undeniable, understood, and accepted.
Along with Socrates, he worked to explore and identify Options available. Dan's Will was
palpable. Socrates had no problem getting a commitment Dan. Through the process, Socrates
emphasized the importance of mindfulness and living in the moment.
lOMoARcPSD|261202 28
MOVIE REVIEW
5
Personal/ Professional Implications
The movie connected with me. On a personal level, I could see much of myself in Dan.
Although not a world-class athlete, I possessed the arrogance, single-minded focus, and belief
that the world revolved around me. The outwardly confident disposition, as well as the inner
agitation. For me, it was not one horrific accident but a slow-moving train of events starting
with my military retirement that God used to get my attention. Much like Dan, I am learning
through God's grace and recovery that it is the journey, not the destination, that is important.
In Socrates and Dan's relationship, we see a model of a coach and client. One of the most
critical coaching lessons I learned from the movie is that the GROW model is very versatile and
can be tailored to meet most clients' unique needs. Each client is an individual whose goals may
not be clearly defined or have difficulty accepting their current reality. However, the framework
can be tailored to suit most needs.
I intend to utilize the lessons learned both personally and professionally. In LIFC 501,
we had an assignment to develop a coaching plan for two transitions. I chose retirement and
addiction recovery. I believe Dan's accident is a metaphor for people struggling with adapting
and overcoming both.
lOMoARcPSD|261202 28
MOVIE REVIEW
6
References
Dunbar, A. (2010). Essential life coaching skills. Routledge.
Salva, V. (Director). (2006). The Way of the Peaceful Warrior [Movie]. Universal Pictures.
Webb, K. E. (2019). The COACH Model for Christian leaders: powerful leadership skills for
solving problems, reaching goals, and developing others. Morgan & James Publishing.
